General Counsel

General Counsel

About Village Enterprise

Village Enterprise is a high‑impact international NGO dedicated to ending extreme poverty through entrepreneurship. We operate across Africa and the United States, and we are seeking an experienced, strategic, and mission‑driven General Counsel to establish and lead our first formal Legal Department.

Role Summary

This executive‑level role serves as the organisation’s principal legal advisor. You will design and implement a comprehensive legal framework that supports Village Enterprise’s global operations. You will oversee all legal affairs, ensure compliance with international donor requirements, manage organisational risk, and provide counsel to the CEO, Board of Directors, and senior leadership. This is a unique opportunity to build a legal function from the ground up within a rapidly growing international NGO.

Key Responsibilities

Establish and Lead the Legal Department

• Design and implement the organisation’s legal strategy, policies, and operating procedures.
• Build and manage a legal team appropriate to organisational needs and growth.
• Develop systems for contract management, compliance monitoring, and legal risk assessment.
• Create internal training programmes on legal, compliance, and governance matters.

Legal Advisory and Governance

• Serve as the primary legal advisor to the CEO, Executive Team, and Board of Directors.
• Provide legal guidance on organisational strategy, governance, and risk.
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex agreements, including donor contracts, MOUs, partnership agreements, sub‑agreements, data‑sharing agreements, and technology contracts.
• Advise on corporate governance, including Board policies, bylaws, and committee structures.

Regulatory and Compliance Oversight

• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations in the jurisdictions where Village Enterprise operates (e.g., Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, UK, US).
• Oversee compliance with international and local donor requirements (e.g., FCDO, EU, philanthropic donors, corporate foundations).
• Lead the organisation’s approach to safeguarding, data protection, anti‑corruption, anti‑money laundering, and counter‑terrorism financing requirements.
• Maintain organisational registrations, licences, and regulatory filings.

Risk Management

• Working with the CFO, develop and maintain a comprehensive risk management framework.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate legal, financial, operational, and reputational risks.
• Manage litigation, disputes, investigations, and external counsel relationships.
• Oversee insurance coverage and risk‑transfer mechanisms.

Employment and Labour Law

• Provide guidance on employment matters across multiple jurisdictions.
• Support HR in developing compliant employment policies, contracts, and disciplinary procedures.
• Advise on workplace investigations, grievances, and terminations.

Donor, Programmatic, and Field Operations Support

• Ensure legal compliance for program implementation, research activities, and field operations.
• Support due diligence for partners, vendors, and subcontractors.
• Advise on intellectual property, technology platforms, and data governance.
• Support legal aspects of innovative financing mechanisms (e.g., outcomes funding, results‑based financing).

Safeguarding

Safeguarding at VE is everyone’s responsibility. You will continuously sensitise program participants about possible risks of child abuse, sexual/financial exploitation, prevention, and response mechanisms. Ensure compliance with VE’s safeguarding policies and Code of Conduct in all programs, operations, and practices. Report any incident of child or adult safeguarding in program operations for appropriate action and follow‑up.

Qualifications and Experience

Required

• Law degree (JD, LLB, or equivalent) and active membership in good standing with a recognised bar.
• Minimum 10–15 years of legal experience, including at least 5 years in a senior or general counsel role.
• Demonstrated experience working with international NGOs, multilaterals, or donor‑funded organisations.
• Strong background in contract law, compliance, governance, and regulatory matters across multiple jurisdictions.
• Experience managing legal issues in Africa, the US, and/or other emerging markets.
• Proven ability to build and lead a legal function.
• Exceptional judgement, integrity, and ability to navigate complex, high‑risk issues.

Preferred

• Experience with FCDO, World Bank, or other major donor frameworks.
• Familiarity with impact measurement, research ethics, and data protection regimes.
• Experience with innovative financing structures (e.g., DIBs, RBF).
• Prior work with social enterprises or organisations operating at the intersection of development and entrepreneurship.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and ability to anticipate legal and organisational needs.
• Strong leadership and team‑building skills.
• Excellent communication and negotiation abilities.
• High emotional intelligence and ability to work cross‑culturally.
• Ability to balance legal risk with operational realities in resource‑constrained environments.
• Commitment to Village Enterprise’s mission to end extreme poverty through entrepreneurship.